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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Get Blast From Freeman, But Fall To Cyclones, 9-5

July 25, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - The State College Spikes got a three-run home run from Wes Freeman in the fourth inning to kickstart a back-and-forth battle, but in the end, Travis Taijeron's ninth-inning grand slam was the difference as the State College Spikes dropped a 9-5 decision to the Brooklyn Cyclones on Monday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Freeman went deep off of Brooklyn (21-16) starter Carlos Vazquez on the first pitch he saw in the fourth to give State College (11-27) a 3-1 lead, but that was only the beginning. The Cyclones scored a pair of runs off of Spikes reliever Mike Jefferson in the sixth inning when Danny Muno doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly, followed by Brian Harrison's RBI single.

After Brooklyn took a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning on two straight steals by Muno and a throwing error on the second one, State College responded with Alex Fuselier's RBI single, which plated Walker Gourley and tied the game, 4-4, in the eight inning. The Spikes nearly grabbed the lead back in the eighth, as well, but Fuselier was thrown out at home plate by right fielder Charley Thurber trying to score on Chris Lashmet's single.

In the ninth, Brooklyn's final charge began when relief pitcher Vince Payne (1-1)hit the Cyclones' Javier Rodriguez with a pitch. After Rodriguez reached first base, Payne issued a walk and hit another batter before Taijeron sent a 2-2 pitch to the right field bleachers to clear the bases and make it 8-4, Brooklyn. The Cyclones added their final run when Muno knocked in Amauris Valdez with an RBI single.

State College didn't go down without a fight, though. Alex Dickerson doubled for the second time on the night to lead off the ninth inning, reached third base on a passed ball, and scored on Derek Trent's RBI single. The Spikes could score no more, however, putting the score at its final margin.

Brooklyn had scored the first run of the game on Cole Frenzel's solo home run to right field in the top of the fourth inning.

Dickerson went 3-for-4 on the game, the best single-game hits mark of his young pro career. Ashley Ponce added a double for the Spikes.

Payne took the loss after yielding a total of five runs in his inning of work on three hits, a walk and two hit batsemen. Nick Kingham started for State College and allowed just a run on four hits while striking out four.

Tyson Seng (1-1) allowed the tying run in the eighth inning, but got the win. Seng gave up three hits and struck out a batter over a single inning on the mound. Todd Weldon (1) picked up the save by recording the final out with the tying run on deck.

Vazquez did not receive a decision after allowing three run on seven hits and a walk over six innings, but recorded three strikeouts and picked off four Spikes baserunners.

After an off day Tuesday, the Spikes will head to Troy, NY on Wednesday to start a three-game series with the Tri-City ValleyCats, affiliate of the Houston Astros, in a 7:05 p.m. matchup. State College will have right-hander Matt Benedict (1-2) on the mound, while Tri-City will go with right-hander Jonas Dufek (3-1).

The Spikes will be back at home for a three-game homestand against the Lowell Spinners (Boston Red Sox) starting on Saturday, July 30 with a 7:05 matchup. The first 1,000 fans through the gates when they open at 6 p.m. will receive a Spikes Golf Towel, presented by Boyles Insurance, and $10,000 will be at stake in a special Hole-in-One Contest! Plus, the Pirate Parrot will bring some of that Pittsburgh magic to State College and join the gaggle of Spikes mascots for Mascot Mania at the ballpark! Every fan is a winner, too, on Scratch n' Win Saturday, presented by Auntie Anne's and it's a Spikes Student All-Stars night with Post-Game Kids Run the Bases presented by Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

Groups can also take advantage of the Spikes' new "20 for $200 Special," while Half-Season Tickets are now also available for as low as $110 per seat. For more information on these special offers, contact a Spikes ticket specialist at (814) 272-1711.

Tickets for Saturday's game, as well as every Spikes regular season home game, are currently on sale through the Spikes Box Office by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and print single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Wednesday via the Spikes Radio Network at 6:45 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from Joseph Bruno Stadium. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.

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New York-Penn League Stories from July 25, 2011


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